Today in Lansing: Music in the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden

Music in the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

W. J. Beal Botanical Garden

412 Olds Hall, East Lansing

Click here for event page

TUESDAY, SEPT. 4 — Enjoy a free concert while eating ice cream and taking in the sights of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden.

MSU percussionists Sebastian Buhts and Kramer Milan bring their musical expertise to take attendees through their musical performance “Journey Through Time” — a lesson in how rhythm affects global cultures.

As the concert goes on, the music will progress from rudimentary hand clapping to hand drums, and old-time snare solos to modern pop song transcriptions on the xylophone.

“We are playing our favorite percussive music. It will be a super entertaining afternoon, featuring the Indian tabla to the Persian zarb,” Milan said.

Milan said he specializes in the Persian zarb, a hand drum from ancient Persia, while Sebastian will play the Indian tabla, a set two high and low hand drum with origins dating back to 2,000 B.C.

“There is an incredible array of activities competing for your attention. It can be the music you hear, the plants you see and the ice cream you are eating. If people feel like dancing to us, or walking up to a plant, they are free to do so.”

Milan said giving back to the community with these events is rewarding.

“Classical music is often constrained to the concert hall, and this is a fun family event where anyone can come. Plus, I like how we are blending the beauty of music with our surroundings.”

Following the concert, W.J. Beal Botanical Garden curator Peter Carrington will give a tour of the garden highlighting its agricultural history.

As opposed to other instruments, Milan believes the movement of percussion can’t be ignored.

“You can always see where the stick is going, and every sound has a motion attached to that. We can play anything we can hit, strike, rattle, bang or rub.”

For more information on the performers, visit: www.sebastianbuhts.com and www.kramermilan.com.